A Russian military court has delivered life sentences to eight individuals convicted of terrorism charges related to the 2022 attack on the Kerch Bridge, a crucial infrastructure link connecting Russia to the annexed Crimean peninsula.
The Court Proceedings and Verdict
The convictions were handed down on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at a military court in Rostov-on-Don. The defendants stood trial inside a glass cage during the proceedings, a common security measure in high-profile Russian terrorism cases.
All eight individuals received life sentences for their alleged involvement in the attack that targeted the strategic bridge. The Kerch Bridge has served as both a physical and symbolic connection between Russia and Crimea since Moscow's controversial annexation of the peninsula in 2014.
Background of the Kerch Bridge Attack
The attack on the Kerch Bridge occurred in 2022, during the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The bridge has been a repeated target throughout the war due to its strategic importance for Russian military logistics and supply routes to occupied Ukrainian territories.
The 19-kilometer bridge represents one of Russia's most significant infrastructure projects in recent years, costing an estimated $3.7 billion to construct. It has functioned as a critical supply line for Russian forces operating in southern Ukraine and as a symbol of Moscow's claim to Crimea.
International Context and Implications
This sentencing comes amid continued tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with the bridge remaining a frequent target of military operations. Ukrainian authorities have previously acknowledged targeting the bridge as a legitimate military objective, though they have not claimed responsibility for this specific 2022 attack.
The severe sentences reflect Russia's determination to harshly punish any attacks on what it considers sovereign territory, despite most of the international community continuing to recognize Crimea as part of Ukraine. The case demonstrates Moscow's increasingly tough stance on what it categorizes as terrorism offenses during the ongoing conflict.
The military court in Rostov-on-Don has become a frequent venue for high-profile terrorism cases related to the Ukraine conflict, with Russian authorities using the judicial system to prosecute what they describe as acts of terrorism against Russian infrastructure and interests.
